The promise of Silvis

Steam locomotives inside shop building

When we drove off Illinois Route 92 onto former Rock Island property recently at Silvis, I was singularly focused on seeing steam locomotives. Three of them, to be specific, including one very special engine, former Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger No. 3985.   The Challenger was among equipment that made headlines last year as Railroading Heritage […]

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News & Products for the week of June 5th 2023

An image of a model freight car

News & Products for the week of June 5th 2023 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of June 5th 2023. […]

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Norfolk & Western No. 611 returns to Roanoke

Steam locomotive pulls into yard while crew watches

ROANOKE, Va. — Norfolk & Western steam locomotive No. 611 returned to its hometown of Roanoke for the first time in nearly 5 years. The J-class 4-8-4 steamed into the yard of the Virginia Museum of Transportation on June 2 after extended stays at both the Strasburg Rail Road in Ronks, Pa., and the North […]

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Steam locomotive No. 4960 heads June “First Saturday” excursion to Grand Canyon

GC4960

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — As part of the 2023 steam schedule of operating the “First Saturday” excursions, Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel’s 2-8-2 No. 4960 was fired up for the special occasion. The former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad locomotive, with assistance from F40 diesel No. 4128, headed the railway’s round-trip excursion train from Williams to […]

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UP Museum holds auction for Big Boy cab ride

Close-up of chrome part showing notch.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — The Union Pacific Museum is auctioning the opportunity for one person to ride in the cap of Big Boy No. 4014 on Monday, July 3, from Pine Bluff, Wyo., to the UP Steam Shop in Cheyenne. The auction is being held in lieu of a passenger excursion fundraiser for the museum. […]

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How to operate steam locomotives on your modern layout

A model steam locomotive pulls a passenger train over a bridge

If you model the modern era like me, you may still have some equipment in your collection that doesn’t fit the era. Maybe you are a fan of one of the famous steam locomotives operating today, such as Nickel Plate Road No. 765 or Union Pacific’s Big Boy. Or maybe you have another steam engine […]

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Nickel Plate Road No. 765 debuts for 2023

Passenger train with steam engine stops on straight as diesel crosses bridge in background

ANGOLA, Ind. — Nickel Plate Road steam locomotive No. 765 debuted for its 2023 operating season during the Memorial Day weekend with one-hour Indiana Ice Cream Train rides out of Angola. The 1944-built 2-8-4 officially kicked off the second year of the Indiana Rail Experience, a program of events and excursions in partnership with the […]

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Overhaul of Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 No. 2816 nearing completion, CPKC says

Steam locomotive with short train on prairie

CALGARY, Alberta — CPKC is stoking interest in the revival of Canadian Pacific 4-6-4 Hudson No. 2816, which will set out on a tour this summer to celebrate the CP-Kansas City Southern merger. In social media posts, the railroad this week teased the progress made on the locomotive’s overhaul in preparation for its first outing […]

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Great American Steam Locomotives: Geared and Logging DVD Trailer

Great American Steam Locomotives: Geared and Logging DVD | 16128 Geared engines were some of the most unique steam locomotives ever built. They were designed to go into the woods, over very steep gradesand questionable track to bring logs or coal out to either a mill or an interchange with a mainline.  Join Trains magazine in […]

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